At a Glance

Hike the magnificent San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado while learning about the local geology, alpine ecology and mining history. From your base in the historic mining town of Ouray – the "Switzerland of America" – explore forests, meadows of wildflowers, alpine tundra, extinct volcanoes and mineralized areas on daily hikes. Naturalists and geologists will enrich your understanding of the region’s natural history, from Silverton to Telluride, Colorado.

Activity Level

Outdoor: Challenging

Hiking 4-10 miles a day. Hiking elevations of 8,000-13,000 feet.

Small Group

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 10 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you'll ...

Hike high alpine meadows, and enjoy southern Colorado's best wildflowers and volcanic scenery.

Discover the history of Ouray, Telluride, Red Mountain and Silverton, Colorado on hiking excursions and museum visits.

Descend the famous gondola from Mountain Village to Telluride, and enjoy a hike in the mountains nearby.

General Notes

Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Peter McCarville

Peter McCarville is a consulting geologist, geological instructor and educator who has lived in Colorado on the western slope since 1995. He also works as an instructor and program designer for Mountains and Plains Institute (MPILLS), leading hiking and skiing excursions, while making cameo appearances as a geology expert on other programs. He has a wonderful ability to convey complex natural history in layman's terms.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Dan Peha

View biography

Peter McCarville

View biography

Suggested Reading List

View 5 books

Mountains of Silver: Life in Colorado’s Red Mountain Mining District

by David Smith

A little over a century ago, the Red Mountain Mining District in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado was the scene of a "silver rush" with an output of precious metals second in Colorado only to that of Leadville. In a period of less than twenty-five years, more than thirty million dollars in silver, lead, zinc, copper, and gold were taken from the rich deposits in the mines along Red Mountain Divide -- an amount roughly equivalent to a quarter billion of today's dollars. The histories of the communities that sprang into being with these mines, the railroads constructed to service them, and the men and women who lived, worked and died in them, are the threads deftly woven into the richly textured story of Mountains of Silver. It is a colorful and varied tapestry that depicts the lives of prospectors who made the first rich strikes; the land promoters, speculators, and road-and-railroad builders who capitalized on the frenzied rush to the area; and the motley collection of miners, lawyers, merchants, prostitutes, saloonkeepers, and freighters who attempted to profit from the boom.

The Utes Must Go

by Peter Decker

Tracing three centuries of Ute Indian history, ''The Utes Must Go!'' chronicles the policies and incidents that led to the involuntary removal of the Ute Indians from Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Historian Peter Decker unveils new critical information on figures such as U.S. Army Maj. Thomas Thornburgh, Interior Secretary Carl Schurz, famed newspaperman Horace Greeley, and Indian Agent Nathan Meeker whose relentless mission to turn Indian hunters into farmers led to the tragedy at Milk Creek in 1879. Decker's research brings to light the complete drama of a proud Indian people swept away by the nineteenth-century tide of pioneer settlement, racism, and greed.

This well-illustrated publication discusses how the northwestern San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado and the rich ore bodies they contain formed and describes the historic mining districts of the area. It provides point-by-point descriptions of the mines, rocks, and other features along the roads and jeep trails that provide access to the mountains.

The Rainbow Route

by Robert Sloan

Presents the fascinating saga of Otto Mears' "other" narrow gauge railroading endeavors and also the precious metals mining high in the San Juan Mountains within the Silverton district. This 416-page chronicle is the first-and-foremost history of the Silverton Railroad; the Silverton, Gladstone & Northerly; and the Silverton Northern; the three little lines that hauled gold and silver ore down to Silverton and connected with the Denver & Rio Grande's Silverton Branch. Features 400 illustrations with 60 in full color.

Exploring the Historic San Juan Triangle

by David Smith

Readers are given a grand tour of the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Filled with rare photographs, specially drawn maps, new trips, updated road tours, and information on towns along the way, this is the "Number One" Jeeping Guide to the San Juans.

Afternoon: Program Registration. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table outside the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will begin the program with easier hikes, both in distance and elevation gain/loss, and build each day in length and difficulty in order to acclimate to both physical and altitude factors. Be sure to bring your own reusable water bottle. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, we’ll order plated meals from the menu with coffee, tea, soft drinks, iced tea, lemonade, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY

2

Portland Trail Above Ouray, Box Canyon Park

Ouray, CO

B,L,D

Ouray Chalet Inn

Activity note: Driving approximately 10 miles total; less than 1 hour roundtrip. Hiking approximately 4 miles roundtrip; about 4 hours total, with stop for trail lunch; elevation gain of roughly 500 feet and maximum elevation of about 8,000 feet.

Breakfast: At a local restaurant, we choose plated meals from the menu with freshly brewed coffee, tea, milk, juice and water.

Morning: After transferring via van, we’ll begin our hiking adventure with an easy hike in the forest near Ouray after gathering in the brisk morning mountain air with our resident geologist and Group Leader. This short trail gains about 500 feet in elevation over its well-groomed course following Portland Creek through the basin above the Amphitheater, a large depression in one of the mountainsides surrounding Ouray. The Amphitheater resulted from volcanic activity some 60 million years ago. The rewards of the hike are the magnificent vistas and nearby waterfalls that fall magnificently into the amphitheater area.

Lunch: Along the trail, we’ll stop to have our boxed lunches.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll travel to the trailhead and take a short hike in Box Canyon Park. The trailhead begins at the southwest end of town and allows us another view of the town nestled in its valley. As we continue walking along the gorge, high above the ribbon of Canyon Creek, we’ll cross "The High Bridge," built in 1900 to carry a water pipeline between two reservoirs. The project was disbanded in 1950 when extra water was no longer needed. Making our way into Box Canyon, we’ll reach Box Canyon Falls along a catwalk passing a winch left by miners who were unsuccessful at finding gold in the creek sediments.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, we’ll order plated meals from the menu with coffee, tea, soft drinks, iced tea, lemonade, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. You may wish to explore the historical, Victorian town of Ouray, or perhaps take a swim in the hot springs pool.

DAY

3

Local Mining History, Rail Grade Hike & Old Turntable

Ouray, CO

B,L,D

Ouray Chalet Inn

Activity note: Driving approximately 30 miles each way; about 1.5 hours roundtrip. Hiking approximately 4 miles roundtrip; about 4 hours, with stop for trail lunch; easy terrain, roughly 200 feet in elevation gain and maximum elevation of about 10,000 feet.

Breakfast: Restaurant plated meal.

Morning: Arriving by van, we’ll take an exploratory hike on the Red Mountain Mining Area trail, during which we’ll walk along old rail beds and visit several mines including Yankee Girl and American Girl, both of which produced some of the most gold and silver in the area. While here, we’ll learn from a local historian about extraction operations of the late 1800s and early 1900s, as well as about the relatively short-lived mines and the towns that grew up with them—most lasted little more than five years. Continuing, we’ll visit Guston where, by 1888, several dozen homes had been built and the population was about 200. The town's streets were so steep that they had to snake up the mountainsides. In 1897, all three mines closed and Guston quickly became a ghost town. The only structures remaining in the area are the mining structures and of the Yankee Girl mine. While here, we’ll gather for a sit-down lecture accompanied by pictures of the old town.

Lunch: Along the trail, we’ll have boxed lunches.

Afternoon: Our hike follows the railroad, an engineering marvel of the time, which served the towns and the mining operations in the area. We’ll learn from whom our accompanying local historian how the railroad came through the valley as we enjoy an on-site lecture at the turntable and ‘Y’ configuration of the tracks, which enabled the locomotives to be turned around. Then we’ll see the results of the “cut and fill” method of keeping the tracks level by cutting through rock ridges and filling in gullies. We’ll return in the early afternoon for a self-led exploration of Ouray Historical Museum.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, we’ll order plated meals from the menu with coffee, tea, soft drinks, iced tea, lemonade, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Morning: Setting out from the hotel, we’ll board our vans for travel south from Ouray on US Route 550 to the trailhead for today's hike. This road is known as the "Million Dollar Highway” for its remarkable views. Along the way, we’ll cross Red Mountain Pass with its red color as a result of the highly oxidized iron content of the mountain. Continuing, we’ll take a rough gravel road to the trailhead in an alpine meadow at 11,400 feet. Beautiful views of the mountain ranges accompany the start of the hike on a jeep road, making for easy walking that may occasionally encounter late summer snowfields and pristine runoff streams. Also notable throughout this walk is the absolute carpet of flowers as we hike to our destination of Bullion King Lake in the Porphyry Basin at 12,500 feet. Porphyry refers to a texture of igneous rocks. In its non-geologic, traditional use, the term "porphyry" refers to the purple-red form of this stone, valued for its appearance. When we stop for lunch, we’ll enjoy a lecture about the geology of the area given by our Group Leader.

Lunch: Along the trail, we’ll have our boxed lunches.

Afternoon: Descending by foot and van, we’ll make our way to the mining town of Silverton and then drive to the Old Hundred Gold Mine for an authentic underground exploration led by a local expert as we learn about the operation of the mine and the process by which ore is extracted from tunnels. Next, we’ll transfer by van to the Mayflower Mill where millions of dollars of gold were processed for several decades. Led by a local expert, we will learn about the operation of the mill and the process by which minerals are extracted from ore.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Silverton. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: After some time to explore Silverton, we’ll rendezvous at a predetermined time and place for travel back to our hotel in Ouray.

Morning: Setting out from the hotel, we’ll board our vans and transfer to the Ice Lake Basin Trailhead. This all-day hike can be strenuous at times, but it has the attraction of reaching three spectacular lakes along the trail. We’ll hike through intermittent forest for about 1.8 miles and, once in the lower Ice Lake Basin, the rugged mountain views become constant. There are also numerous big waterfalls and creeks surrounded by tall and thick wildflowers. The trail to the upper basin cuts up through a massive rock wall to Ice Lake, the first lake we’ll encounter, which is surrounded by sharp, jagged peaks. The view is as one author put it, "classic Colorado. Inspiring!"

Lunch: Along the trail, we’ll have our boxed lunches.

Afternoon: After a welcome lunch break, we’ll split into subgroups, each led by a hiking expert, for a choice of two additional hikes to two more lakes. You may choose to do both if you wish! Fuller Lake is a relatively easy 1.7 miles roundtrip hike, during which we’ll continue on the same trail that brought us to Ice Lake. It passes an un-named little lake before making the moderate ascent to Fuller Lake. Wildflowers and a spectacular look back to Ice Lake make this a great side trip. The other choice is to take the hike to Island Lake, which crosses the outlet stream from Ice Lake and picks up on a trail that contours north up the mountainside and around the saddle for a 1.2 mile roundtrip hike. Once again, spectacular views and fields of wildflowers pepper the already beautiful view. We’ll return to the vans and transfer back to Ouray in the late afternoon.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, we’ll order plated meals from the menu with coffee, tea, soft drinks, iced tea, lemonade, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Morning: Setting out from the hotel, we’ll board our vans and transfer to the starting point of the Sutton Mine Trail. We’ll begin this out-and-back hike, climbing steadily up switchbacks and stopping intermittently to soak in the views from a series of overlooks peeking between pines and aspens. As we continue, we’ll keep an eye out for landmarks like the Million Dollar Highway below, cross streams, and approach the spectacular Bear Creek Falls.

Lunch: Along the trail, we’ll have our boxed lunches.

Afternoon: We’ll continue the hike and return to the vans at the trailhead for travel back to Ouray in the mid-afternoon. Named after the great Chief Ouray (1833 – August 24, 1880) of the Uncompaghre band of the Ute tribe, the town pays homage to him as a revered leader. Although his appeal to Congress in 1880 regarding the Ute uprising of 1879 did not ultimately result in a treaty allowing his people to remain in Colorado amid the encroachment of white settlers, his foresight and diplomacy as a leader is still renowned.

Dinner: On your own to explore the local fare at one of Ouray’s restaurants.

Morning: Upon arrival in the town of Telluride, we will set out on our hike up the Lizard Head Trail that navigates the gorgeous ridge of the San Miguel Range’s Black Face Mountain and to Lizard Head peak, which is a striking monolithic spire atop the mountain. The view from the summit affords picturesque vistas in every direction of nearby mountains including Mount Wilson, Gladstone Mountain, Wilson Peak, Pilot Knob, Golden Horn, and Trout Lake below. Those who would rather not hike may enjoy spending the morning exploring the town independently.

Lunch: Along the trail or in town, depending on individual activity choice, we’ll have our boxed lunches.

Afternoon: After completing the hike, both groups will rendezvous back in Telluride for our return to Ouray in the late afternoon.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, we’ll order plated meals from the menu with coffee, tea, soft drinks, iced tea, lemonade, water included; other beverages available for purchase. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program and celebrate your hiking achievements with new Road Scholar friends.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.

DAY

8

Program Concludes

Ouray, CO

B

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 10:00 a.m.

Breakfast: Restaurant plated meal. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Meals

18 Meals

7 Breakfasts

6 Lunches

5 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance:

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

This program is everything the writeup says it is. Challenging, the vastness and beauty of the mountains is breathtaking. You will breath hard and deep, so preparing for this trip is a must to enjoy it yourself and not deter other participants. History of mining and associated museums is informative and gives perspective to those who endured the hardships of life in mining towns.

Excellent and challenging program. All participants were able to cope with the reduced oxygen at higher altitudes. I am in my later 70s and found great personal satisfaction in being able to climb to altitudes around 12,000 ft. All 3 instructors were very good. Accommodation was sub-par.

The 'Ouray: Hiking in the Switzerland of America' was a fantastic program! Great, challenging hikes and outstanding Group Leaders! Peter McCarville and his team at Mountains & Plains Institute for Lifelong Learning were fantastic! Caring, inclusive, and very knowledgeable! Do this hike!!

This was a wonderful hiking trip! I particularly enjoyed the hike up to Ice Lake. It was certainly the most strenuous of the hikes, but the view from the lake was a great reward for the effort.
Peter McCarville did a great job, planning, organizing and running the tour. Dan Peha was patient and encouraging every step of the way. I thoroughly enjoyed following these two up hill and down dale!
I would highly recommend this tour for avid hikers, and for simply lovers of mountain trails! Being from the Plains, I did find the altitude to be challenging, even though I arrived two days early in order to adjust. I found the canned oxygen (Boost) to be very helpful.

If you want a truly Challenging Mountain Climbing experience in the Southern Rockies, this is it ! Just bring your poles and TWO pair of soft hiking boots. One will surely get wet some day, but the views are well worth the effort. Everything is aptly described in the program review. Enjoy !